You likely know about strokes, but share this with people who aren't so familiar

May is Stroke Awareness Month - which I haven't been emphasizing in the last few years, instead focusing on stroke awareness regardless of month - so you'll probably see similar articles in your local media.

Nonetheless, it's a good reference about what you need to know about surviving or preventing a stroke:

The key to minimizing the effects of a stroke is to learn to identify the symptoms. There’s a quick mnemonic that can help with that: FAST.

F: face droop
A: arm weakness
S: speech difficulty
T: time to call 911

If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or your loved one, call 911 right away. Those suffering from a blocked type of stroke have 3-4 hours to receive treatment for the best outcomes, so time is of the essence!

However, the best strategy is to try to prevent a stroke in the first place. High blood pressure is the No. 1 cause of stroke, and fortunately there are easy ways you can try and control your blood pressure. The American Heart Association suggests that you:

Eat a better diet, which may include reducing salt intake.
Engage in regular physical activity.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Manage stress.
Avoid tobacco smoke.
Take your medication as prescribed.
If you drink alcohol, limit your intake (no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men).

For many of us, there's nothing new here. But a good item to share via Facebook, Twitter, email, or other means to those who aren't so familiar.